Essay Writing Thesis Statements

Thesis Statement Your thesis statement should be a single sentence that contains: Your thesis statement should be a single sentence that contains: The author’s name The author’s name The title of the book The title of the book What you are going to prove What you are going to prove How you are going to prove it How you are going to prove it

Thesis Statement Your thesis statement should be the first or the last sentence in your introduction. Your thesis statement should be the first or the last sentence in your introduction.

Substantial Your thesis should be a claim for which it is easy to answer every reader’s question: “So what?” Your thesis should be a claim for which it is easy to answer every reader’s question: “So what?”

Supportable A thesis must be a claim that you can prove with the evidence at hand (e.g., evidence from your texts or from your research). A thesis must be a claim that you can prove with the evidence at hand (e.g., evidence from your texts or from your research).

Your claim should not be outlandish, nor should it be mere personal opinion or preference (e.g., “Frederick Douglass is my favorite historical figure.”) Your claim should not be outlandish, nor should it be mere personal opinion or preference (e.g., “Frederick Douglass is my favorite historical figure.”)

Precise An effective thesis statement has been narrowed down from a very broad subject. Your claim should not be something on which whole books could be written. An effective thesis statement has been narrowed down from a very broad subject. Your claim should not be something on which whole books could be written.

Arguable A thesis statement should not be a statement of fact or an assertion with which every reader is likely to immediately agree. (Otherwise, why try to convince your readers with an argument?) A thesis statement should not be a statement of fact or an assertion with which every reader is likely to immediately agree. (Otherwise, why try to convince your readers with an argument?)

Relevant If you are responding to an assignment, the thesis should answer the question your teacher has posed. In order to stay focused, pay attention to the task words in the assignment: summarize, argue, compare/contrast, etc. If you are responding to an assignment, the thesis should answer the question your teacher has posed. In order to stay focused, pay attention to the task words in the assignment: summarize, argue, compare/contrast, etc.

Sample Statements Throughout American history, brave leaders have stood up against oppression of all kinds. This sentence is much too broad. A more effective thesis would narrow the topic down to a particular leader. Throughout American history, brave leaders have stood up against oppression of all kinds. This sentence is much too broad. A more effective thesis would narrow the topic down to a particular leader.

Sample Statements Douglass’ speech is completely ineffective, since he admits early in his speech that the anti-slavery position is self-evidently just and does not require argument. To be persuasive, speakers must always take positions which they and their speakers consider arguable. Douglass’ speech is completely ineffective, since he admits early in his speech that the anti-slavery position is self-evidently just and does not require argument. To be persuasive, speakers must always take positions which they and their speakers consider arguable. This thesis makes a claim that the writer can probably not support with the assigned text. This thesis makes a claim that the writer can probably not support with the assigned text.

Sample Statements Of all examples of persuasive speaking in American history, Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July” is far and away the most effective. Of all examples of persuasive speaking in American history, Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July” is far and away the most effective. This sentence offers only the writer’s opinion. The writer does not offer arguable criteria for why this speech is effective. This sentence offers only the writer’s opinion. The writer does not offer arguable criteria for why this speech is effective.

Sample Statements Frederick Douglass made a speech in which he wondered why slaves should celebrate the Fourth of July. Frederick Douglass made a speech in which he wondered why slaves should celebrate the Fourth of July. This sentence is a statement of fact. There is nothing to be argued here. This sentence is a statement of fact. There is nothing to be argued here.

Sample Statements BAD: Drug abuse is a big problem. BAD: Drug abuse is a big problem. BETTER: Heroin, long regarded as a street drug, is fast becoming the drug of choice among middle class urban professionals. BETTER: Heroin, long regarded as a street drug, is fast becoming the drug of choice among middle class urban professionals.

Sample Statements BAD: There is a lot of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter. BAD: There is a lot of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter. BETTER: Hawthorne's use of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter falters and ultimately breaks down with the introduction of the character Pearl BETTER: Hawthorne's use of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter falters and ultimately breaks down with the introduction of the character Pearl

Sources "Resources On Argumentation, Problem Posing, & Thesis Development." The Writing Center Temple University. 20 Mar "Resources On Argumentation, Problem Posing, & Thesis Development." The Writing Center Temple University. 20 Mar